Materials and processes
What we machine, and who does the rest
A clear line between what is performed in-house at ESM and what is placed with a qualified partner. No capability is presented as internal when it is not.
Materials
High-strength aerospace aluminium
ESM's demonstrated material domain is aerospace aluminium — principally the 7000 series in plate and extruded profile form, in tempers such as T7351 and T73511, procured against the customer's material specification with full certificate traceability.
Material is ordered from approved sources against the drawing specification, inspected on receipt, identified by batch and tracked through every downstream operation and record.
Titanium and nickel alloys are not a standing capability and are reviewed case by case at the technical review. We would rather turn down a titanium enquiry than learn on your part.
| Material family | Typical forms | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium 7175 | Plate, extruded profile | Demonstrated |
| Aluminium 7075 | Plate, bar | Demonstrated |
| Other 2000 / 6000 series aluminium | Plate, bar, profile | Demonstrated |
| Stainless steels | Bar, plate | Machined |
| Hard metals | Bar, plate | Machined |
| Titanium and nickel alloys | — | Not a standing capability |
Material specifications are customer-controlled documents. We work to the specification called out on your drawing; we do not publish customer specification references.
In-house versus partner network
Where each operation is performed
| Operation | Where | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting and material preparation | In-house | Dedicated sawing area, batch identity applied at cut |
| CNC milling — 3, 4 and 5 axis | In-house | 15 machining centres, in-process control plan |
| Fitting, deburring, finishing | In-house | Authorised fitters, documented acceptance criteria |
| Dimensional inspection | In-house | Control laboratory, calibrated instrument pool |
| Conventional turning and drilling | In-house | Secondary operations only — no CNC turning |
| Mechanical assembly | In-house | Riveting, Hi-Lok and Hi-Lite fasteners, helicoils, bushings, seals |
| Anodising | Qualified partner | Supplier control procedure, re-inspection on return |
| Chromate conversion coating | Qualified partner | Supplier control procedure, re-inspection on return |
| Passivation | Qualified partner | Supplier control procedure, re-inspection on return |
| Electroplating | Qualified partner | Supplier control procedure, re-inspection on return |
| Painting and marking | Qualified partner | Supplier control procedure, re-inspection on return |
| Heat treatment | Qualified partner | Supplier control procedure, re-inspection on return |
| Non-destructive testing | Qualified partner | Arranged when called out on the definition |
Partners are selected against documented criteria, evaluated periodically and audited on a published plan. Customer requirements are flowed down contractually. Partner identities are disclosed to customers under the supplier approval process, not published.
Why it matters
Subcontracted is not the same as uncontrolled
A supplier that presents an external process as an internal capability creates a problem that surfaces at the first audit. ESM takes the opposite position: the operation is named, the partner is qualified, the flow-down is contractual and the part is re-inspected when it comes back.
From your side, the interface does not change. You place one order, you receive one delivery, you review one quality data package, and the responsibility for the whole route stays with ESM.
Material or process question on a specific part?
Send the specification callout with your enquiry and we will tell you exactly how the route would be built.
